From the Chancellor’s Desk
Dear FSU Alumni, Family, and Friends, We look forward to another academic year with optimism and hope. I would be remiss however if I failed to mention an issue that has everyone who loves Fayetteville State University concerned, and that is the current state of the economy in North Carolina and the effects it has had on your alma mater. Like other institutions in the state, FSU has had to make some tough decisions as it relates to the budget crisis. Some faculty positions were cut. Class sections were reduced, and degree programs with low graduate outputs were eliminated. These were tough, but necessary changes as we endeavored to achieve our overarching goal of protecting the overall academic integrity of the university. As you will see with the content of this issue of FS&U magazine, we are certain we have done that. One way we have sought to add additional revenue is by formulating partnerships with institutions in China. On the cover of the magazine is our commencement speaker, Deputy Secretary of Education Anthony Wilder Miller, pictured with administrators from institutions in China – East China University of Science and Technology, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Heibei Normal University, Inner Mongolia Normal University, and Baotou Teachers’ College. Each of these schools met with us and expressed their interest in sending students to FSU to study. In turn, FSU students will have the opportunity to broaden their horizons by studying at their institutions. This partnership will benefit FSU not only financially, but also it will help us to fulfill our mission of making our students 21st Century global scholars. Since FSU hosted our partners in education from China and was fortunate to have a speaker from the highest levels of education here in the United States, we deemed it appropriate that the focus of this issue of FS&U is excellence in teacher education. Inside is an article about a study that shows that classroom teachers who graduate from FSU are among the top performers in the state. Also featured is FSU alumnus Mr. Kamal Watkins who was named North Carolina’s Teacher Assistant of the Year, the first African-American male to receive this honor. A faculty member from the School of Education has also been spotlighted for research in education. While the budget crisis will have long-term implications on FSU and other state institutions for years to come, we remain unyielding in our commitment to providing our students with the best educational experiences possible. We owe that to them and to each of you who support this institution. In the Bronco Spirit,
James A. Anderson Chancellor
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FS&U Magazine